ANOTHER attempt at B&W

[NicolaB]

Photoshop Elements 8

This was a correctly exposed image that I have tried to convert and I would like advice on how I have done - what I need to do. It was a bright sunny day, so I guess the light is a bit flat anyway which will not help. I am still in need of a Eureka moment.....

Adjusted blacks etc in RAW
Brightened eyes, go rid of 'dark' eye 'bags'
Got rid of crumbs etc

Gradient map - wiggled a bit (to lighten subject)
convert to black & White
(I don't think I have full curves in Elements?)

[candidrachel]

Hi ! I use Elements 8 too and I find it alot easier to use Convert to Black and White and then choose one of the options Scenic Lanscapes, Portrait, Urban/Snapshots or whatever effect I think looks good and then tweak the red, blue, green and contrast sliders.

Then add a Levels adjustment layer and tweek and shadows and highlights on there.

Works for me.

[SusanH1970]

Nicola, this looks pretty darn good!

When you say you do a gradient map, then convert to black and white, what do you mean? The gradient map should do it for you. Just set your foreground color to black and your background color to white. That's how I do mine then tweak in curves for a bump in contrast if necessary - you can do just about the same with levels (Elements doesn't have curves).

[NicolaB]

woo hoo! I did this one too. I think I am finally starting to get it! (Alleluja!)

I will stop at gradient map then - lol.